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Paranoia is a symptom in which an individual feels as if the world is "out to get" him or her. When people are paranoid, they feel as if others are always talking about them behind their backs. Paranoia causes intense feelings of distrust, and can sometimes lead to overt or covert hostility.

Other symptoms of paranoia may include

* Self-referential thinking: The sense that other people in the world (even complete strangers on the street) are always talking about the paranoid individual.
* Thought broadcasting: The sense that other people can read the paranoid individual's mind.
* Magical thinking: The sense that the paranoid individual can use his or her thoughts to influence other people's thoughts and actions.
* Thought withdrawal: The sense that people are stealing the paranoid individual's thoughts.
* Thought insertion: The sense that people are putting thoughts into the paranoid individual's mind.
* Ideas of reference: The sense that the television and/or radio are specifically addressing the paranoid individual.

Treatment:
People who are suffering from diagnosable mental conditions such as schizophrenia or paranoid personality disorder may benefit from the use of typical antipsychotic medications, such as chlorpromazine or haloperidol , or from the newer, atypical antipsychotic medications, such as clozapine , olanzapine , or risperidone.

13 years ago. Rating: 1
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